Real Estate One's History

Real Estate One Family of Companies makes the complex process of buying or selling a home as simple as possible. Ranked as the 10th largest broker in the nation, every day is spent striving towards our mission of creating the best real estate experience through our family of services. Above being the largest broker in Michigan, one of our proudest achievements was becoming one of Michigan’s Top Workplaces in 2011. Our commitment to being the best continued when accomplishing the Top Workplace award again in 2012, along with being ranked in the Top 5 of the state. The good news continued in 2013 when Real Estate One Family of Companies was ranked as the 51st Top Workplace in the nation.

Established in 1929 by Staunton Elsea, the first office of Elsea Realty and Investment Company was opened on Fort Street in Detroit. Forty years later, Elsea Realty became Real Estate One when Staunton’s son, Dick, negotiated a merger with three other well-established metro firms. These firms included Mathers, Stevens and Martin Inc. Realtors, Deremo and Sons Realtors as well as Gordon Williamson Co.

Continuing the family tradition, Dick’s sons, Stuart and Dan, are now the third-generation owners of Real Estate One Family of Companies. Stuart and Dan focus on innovative and efficient ways to serve our customers. They also took part in acquiring two additional real estate brokerage brands. In 1995, Real Estate One gained Johnstone and Johnstone Realtors, a well-respected Grosse Pointe firm that was established in 1919. Seven years later, the family grew larger with the addition of Max Broock Realtors. Established in 1895, Max Broock first showed desirable farm property in Detroit. That subdivision later became part of what is known now as Virginia Park, a historic Detroit neighborhood. Between 1937 and 1960, Max Broock Realtors developed many of the luxury residential communities in the greater Birmingham and Bloomfield area into what they are today.

Becoming a one-stop shop for our clients' convenience was essential to our many years of success. Insurance One Agency joined the family in 1971 and John Adams Mortgage followed a year after in 1972. Three years later, another important member, Capital Title Insurance Agency was added into the selection of services. Relocation America and Rental Management One are also affiliates of the Real Estate One Family of Companies. We support our clients through every aspect of their real estate transaction, ultimately saving their time, money and stress.

Since its beginning the company has been known as a market leader. Many of the common marketing tools used throughout the country started here. Real Estate One was the first company to have multiple offices, to create homes books, to initiate a computerized MLS, and to host Open Houses. We evolve as our clients’ needs progress. Our website attracts over 2.3 million unique visitors a year and continues to grow at a rapid pace. We also launched a mobile app, which allowed us to provide GPS-enabled maps featuring a search of Michigan MLS properties delivered at the touch of a finger.

Our sales associates represent you with professionalism as trained experts in the market. The Real Estate One Academy was created in 1929 to assist people who wanted to start a real estate career as well as offer a variety of courses designed to build experienced sales associates’ careers. Educating our sales associates with quality classes reflects in their performance. Year after year our sales continue to grow. This past year we were involved in over 18,500 homes sales, demonstrating the ambition our agents possess.

Real Estate One Family of Companies not only serves the community, but also betters it. In 2004, the Real Estate One Charitable Foundation was established in celebration of the company’s 75th Anniversary. Since its creation, the foundation has raised over $1.45 million for various local and national organizations. The charitable foundation works closely with Special Olympics Michigan, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Alzheimer’s Association, and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Creative thinking, long term planning, and quality service have led this company in terms of our success. We look forward to assisting you in making your real estate transition smooth and rewarding. From our co-workers to clients, the members of this family are dedicated to the core values of excellence, caring, integrity, teamwork and empowerment. These beliefs play a role in every business opportunity and have become a standard for our company to live up to day by day.

Our clients receive quality, family-grown service when working with a Real Estate One Family of Companies employee. Serving our state for 84 years, Michigan is more than our market. It’s our home.